Those Teachable Moments

By: carole l. haines

And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”  (Luke 18: 15-17 NASB)

As a part-time assistant in Children’s Church, I overheard one of my students ask a question in the midst of a discussion. “He said, ” How does prayer work, I pray and God doesn’t answer me?”  There was a lot going on at the time and the teacher did not hear the question, but I heard it.  I called him over during some free time in the class and asked him, “Do you really want to know how prayer works? I can tell you how I hear God, would that help?”  He looked at me a bit intrigued, so I proceeded to tell Him that God primarily speaks to us from His Word, the Bible.  He said, “I read the Bible, but I don’t hear Him!”  I told him that God loves him very much, and wants him to know that He is speaking to him.  I said it was more like ‘reading God, than actually hearing Him.”  I told Him to ask God to speak to Him from the Bible, to help him hear God when He speaks from the Word.”  He shrugged, and skipped off!  Did I get through, did I make it clear to this young boy? I don’t know.  But I know that it was a teachable moment, and that the Holy Spirit was working in his heart and life.  God will take my feeble efforts to share a deep concept with a young child, and grow fruit in his life.  God wants this precious Child to know how much He loves him.  I did my best, and I know God will do the rest.
I will follow up with this young one as God leads, and share the interaction with his parents, so they can be aware of his yearnings to hear from God.  Those teachable moments, they come and go so quickly, as our children grow.  Let us ask God to prepare our hearts to listen, and be ready to share His insights with the children as they ask their questions about God.  We have so little time with them, every moment counts.

And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”  (Luke 18: 15-17 NASB)

Let us look for these precious teachable moments with others, both children and adults, and let’s be teachable ourselves.  So little time, so much to learn.